Turning Sustainability Into Profit by Entegra_PS

Strategies for hospitality operators

Why choose sustainability?

According to a 2024 McKinsey report, customers are increasingly demanding that businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.1 That said, incorporating sustainability while maintaining profitability may require the careful balance of competing needs including day-to-day operations, shareholders and oftentimes, customers.

While a commitment to sustainability and social responsibility is not new to hospitality-driven businesses, working alongside a GPO that supports these goals might be. In this guide, we’ll dive into how the right GPO can — and should — support your business with:

Committing to responsible sourcing Implementing food waste mitigation strategies

Partnering on energy, water, eco-packaging and more

The profitability factor

Achieving measurable results on CSR initiatives must align with your profitability goals.

Sound too good to be true? GPOs like Entegra make it happen every day for its clients. As a trusted procurement partner with robust advisory services, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is simply a part of our DNA as part of global sustainability leader Sodexo.

“We aim to strengthen our sustainability efforts, act as a trusted advisor to both clients and suppliers, and create growth opportunities through meaningful CSR initiatives.”

— Victoria Halliwell, Procurement Manager, Entegra

Sustainable sourcing: Entegra solutions

As part of Entegra's responsible sourcing framework, our clients reap the rewards of high sustainability standards from a network of thousands of suppliers. Just a few areas that our supply experts vet for accountability include:

Animal welfare

Fair labour

Sustainable agriculture

Plus, Entegra’s ability to consolidate purchasing power and leverage established relationships with vetted suppliers drives competitive pricing.

In addition to cost savings, Entegra’s sourcing strategy ensures a more streamlined supply chain as well as robust data reporting to monitor and change as needed.

7 steps to strategic sourcing

Tackle food waste, save money: win-win

Restaurants waste an average of 4-10% of the food they purchase before it reaches the customer's plate.4 Overall, approximately 40% of the 63 million tons of food wasted each year comes from consumer-facing businesses, like hotels.5

The impact of food waste on hospitality-driven operators cuts deep. Simply put, operators are overspending on food and seeing decreased profitability. To reduce food waste, it’s imperative to understand the waste’s main sources and focus on:

Over-purchasing: Not understanding inventory

Inadequate food storage: Letting fresh foods spoil

Inefficient food prep: Not using an ingredient in its entirety

On-plate waste: Dishing up oversized portion sizes

Reducing waste isn’t just about saving food it’s about protecting margins, streamlining operations and building a more sustainable kitchen from the ground up.

waste and public perception

Over 80% of consumers say reducing food waste/food loss reduction is an important sustainability issue.6

Millennials and Gen Z are particularly plugged into media that has highlighted the negative environmental and ethical of food waste. Implementing effective waste reduction strategies is no longer just a cost-saving measure but critical to an operator's brand image.

Food Waste: Entegra’s Solution

Food waste – and the costs associated with it – are something Entegra takes very seriously.

WasteSmart

Our WasteSmart service offers a comprehensive 8-step waste reduction strategy specifically crafted to help businesses significantly reduce food waste, align with sustainability goals, and promote social responsibility. Thesestepsinclude:

Full Onsite Pre-implementation

Evaluation: Performing a detailed analysis of your operations.

Advanced Measurement Tools: Equipping you with the latest tools to pinpoint waste areas.

Optimised Ordering Processes: Advising on streamlining inventory to reduce overstock.

Culinary Production Controls: Scrutinising your processes to reduce waste throughout production.

Strategic Portion Control and Buffet Management: Proven strategies to manage costs and cut waste.

Implementation Support: Providing support to ensure the seamless adoption of new practices.

Maximising Product Yield: Helping you to utilise ingredients fully, minimising waste.

Ongoing Progress Monitoring: With our enhanced package, we also regularly track your progress too.

Entegra WasteSmart transforms industry challenges into opportunities. Entegra's experts work with your team to fully evaluate your waste management processes from inventory to disposal, providing onsite support and practical strategies.

Richard King, Director of Savings Delivery

Moving beyond recycling: energy, water and more

Rising water and energy scarcity, combined with increased utility costs, are significantly straining every type of business.

Sustainability-centric operators must use technological innovation, make meaningful operational adjustments, and get holistic buy-in from the entire staff to save energy and water.

Short-term solutions can yield significant long-term savings when it comes to smarter, eco-conscious purchasing decisions. Installing tap aerators, insulating hot water pipes, fixing leaks promptly, and using timers or sensors on lighting and HVAC systems are all practical steps. Even minor changes, when adopted consistently, can deliver meaningful savings on both costs and emissions.

Energy management: Entegra Solutions

In partnership with HBSL, Entegra offers clients access to expert energy procurement and sustainability analysis delivering a streamlined path to net zero.

HBSL’s True programme equips you with the tools needed to execute a successful energy procurement strategy in a net zero landscape. It provides real-time insights into consumption data, commodity pricing, and non-commodity costs.

Key Features Include:

1.Proven procurement performance

2.Access to best-in-market technology

3.Strategic support for your net zero journey

4.Dedicated account management

5.Guidance from a team of energy management specialists

Bunzl offers a wide range of sustainable packaging solutions, including recyclable, compostable and reusable options, alongside expert consultancy to help businesses reduce waste and meet environmental targets.

Sustainable packaging

Addressing all of the environmental and health issues related to packaging is challenging, to say the least.

Complexities include:

Variability in waste infrastructure

Regulation

Operational needs

Trade-offs when trying to meet climate, water and health criteria

When choosing packaging suppliers, the EcoVadis rating is a powerful tool to guide more sustainable, responsible decisions. It offers clear, science-based insights into a supplier’s environmental, social and ethical performance. By evaluating areas such as environmental impact, labour practices and sustainable sourcing, increases transparency ensuring packaging choices align not only with operational needs, but with long-term sustainability goals.

Third party support

Third parties issue certifications that verify everything from sourcing practices to composting compliance to proper disposal and more. Some of third-party resources that can help identify sustainable packaging suppliers include: Forest Stewardship Council Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification

REAL’s Compostable Certification Scheme

Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association

As part and parcel of every client relationship, Entegra advisory services can help navigate the complexity of responsible packaging decision-making in partnership with relevant suppliers.

Sustainability Spotlight

Our supplier partners are deeply committed to upholding robust ESG standards, investing in meaningful practices that drive environmental, social, and ethical impact across their operations. Here, we spotlight a selection of partners leading the way with exemplary initiatives and measurable results.

Catering Butcher Category

Plant-based Foodservice Linen

ESG Credentials

B Corp Certified Carbon Neutral Certification Green Growth Pledge Equality Pledge EcoVadis Sliver Medal Red Tractor Certified Excellence in Sustainability Award

B Corp Certified VFL Vegan/Vegetarian Supplier of the Year 2024

FairFax Meadows

A leading UK catering butcher with Red Tractor and EcoVadis Silver credentials, committed to sustainable sourcing, electric delivery vehicles, and reducing packaging and food miles across the supply chain.

Vegetarian Express

Vegetarian Express is a leading specialist in plantbased ingredients, supporting chefs with innovative, high-quality products

Star Linen

Star Linen is a trusted supplier of high-quality linen and soft furnishings, helping hospitality businesses elevate guest comfort while balancing durability, style, and value

Entegra valued supplier

Supliers

Your GPO partner

With deep expertise in hospitality-driven industries, Entegra works closely with businesses to make their operations run at peak efficiency.

Save up to 10%* on food, linens, flatware, smallwares, uniforms, furniture and more

Tap into Entegra’s advisory services for product cuttings, focus groups, menu ideation and more

Leverage our £32 billion in purchasing power to get the solutions you need from suppliers you trust

Gain full transparency across all your purchasing with Beagle, our powerful digital client platform

Ready to balance sustainability and cost-savings?

If you’re interested in moving beyond awareness to action, Entegra is here to help you embrace sustainable sourcing, actively combat food waste, monitor energy usage and more – all while saving you money and enhancing your brand image.

Best of all? You’ll be taking meaningful steps towards fostering a healthier, more resilient world.